ATLANTA, March 20, 2012 -- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently awarded $2.1 million in Recreational Trails Program grants to 19 government agencies. The grants will assist with the construction and maintenance of trails and trailheads throughout the state.

“Trails continue to be very popular places for exercise, relaxation, and family fun,” said State Parks Director Becky Kelley. “This year’s trail grants will primarily build trails close to where people live and go about their daily lives. These grants help conserve land and encourage physical and community activity.”

This year’s projects were selected because they met goals set by the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), a document that outlines trends, priorities and elements for success in providing outdoor recreation for future generations of Georgians. The current SCORP document, which will be revised in the coming year, can be found on www.GeorgiaStateParks.org. For more information about the Recreational Trails Program, contact Bryan Alexander, DNR’s Grants Coordinator, at 404-656-2770.

Funding for the Recreational Trails Program comes from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and was appropriated in the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The DNR administers the grant program under guidance of the FHWA. Each year, state, federal and local agencies are eligible to compete for these grants. Every recipient is required to match the grant by providing at least 20 percent of the cost of the project.

Details about each of the 19 grant recipients follow:

City of Bloomingdale, Rail Bed Trail Phase II: DNR’s recommended grant of $100,000 will assist the City in expanding its Rail Bed Trail project in downtown Bloomingdale.

City of Blue Ridge, Mineral Springs Nature Trail: The City plans to build a trail and trailhead on newly acquired property. DNR selected this project to receive a grant of $100,000.

City of Carrollton, GreenBelt Lake Carroll Trail: Carrollton plans to build a long greenway trail around the city, and DNR recommended a grant of $100,000 for a small section of the trail and renovation of existing facilities for use as a trailhead.

City of Clarkesville, Greenways Expansion Phase II: DNR’s recommended grant of $100,000 will contribute to the City’s project of lengthening its existing greenway trail, improving the trail’s accessibility, and connecting it to a City park.

City of Clayton, Stekoa Creek Park Trail: The City seeks to renovate and extend existing park trails to mitigate stormwater and user impacts. DNR has recommended a grant of $30,424.

City of Dunwoody, Brook Run Park Trail Phase II: This grant of $100,000 will assist with the construction of a loop trail that will connect the recreational resources found in the expansive Brook Run Park.

City of Eatonton, Briar Patch Trail: On newly acquired property formerly used for logging, the City intends to build a trailhead and trail system. DNR has recommended a grant of $100,000 for the project.

City of Fort Oglethorpe, West Chickamauga Creek Multi-Use Trail: The City continues to develop its greenway trail system with a new project to connect with a future canoe launch on West Chickamauga Creek. DNR has recommended a grant of $100,000 for the multi-use trail that is planned to parallel the Creek.

City of Hogansville, Water Tower Trail Phase III: DNR has recommended a grant of $100,000 for the City’s planned boardwalk that will run through a densely vegetated area adjacent to the historic water tower.

City of Porterdale, Yellow River Park Trail: The City plans to build a trail and trailhead with educational signage. The project is a portion of a plan for a greenway system connecting significant resources in Newton County. DNR has recommended a grant of $98,976 for the project.

City of Riceboro, Historic Baptismal Trail Phase II: The City plans to acquire property and build an expansion of its trail in this historic area. DNR has recommended a grant of $100,000 for the project.

Rockdale County, Black Shoals Scenic Trail: DNR’s recommended grant of $100,000 will help to fund the construction of a multi-use trail traversing the ridgeline of a forested park adjacent to Randy Poynter Lake.

City of Rome, Heritage Riverways Trail Accessibility Enhancement Phase II: This project will continue the effort to improve the accessibility of Rome’s extensive trail system. DNR’s recommended grant of $53,905 will help to build rest and information areas for the route from the Rome-Floyd County Library through downtown and South Rome.

City of Sandy Springs, Lost Corner Preserve Trail: DNR has recommended a grant of $90,000 for the City’s plan to build a trail on what it believes to be a pristine 22-acre tract.

City of Springfield, Springfield-Ebenezer Greenway: DNR’s recommended grant of $70,000 will assist with this project to acquire land and build a trail with educational signage near Ebenezer Creek, one of only four State Scenic Rivers.

USDA Forest Service: The Forest Service will receive two grants. The first is a grant of $508,949 for the renovation and expansion of the trail system at Beasley Knob near Blairsville. The trails at Beasley Knob are used by off-highway four-wheel-drive vehicles, ATV’s and motorcycles. The second grant awards $65,000 for a small re-route on the long-distance Pinhoti Trail.

City of Woodbine, Woodbine Nature Trail: The City plans to extend the length of its existing nature trail on an abandoned railroad bed. DNR has recommended a grant of $100,000 for the trail, signage, and other amenities.

City of Young Harris, Cupid Falls Park Addition: The City seeks to expand the size of its Cupid Falls Park and build a trail in the new area. DNR has recommended a grant of $100,000 to assist with the project.